AAA

If you're going out of town for the Labor Day weekend, you'll have lots of company. AAA is projecting 34.1 million Americans will be traveling at least 50 miles from home, a 4.2 percent increase from last year. Nearly 1.4 million Ohioans will also be traveling, up 3.3 percent.

"This is the highest number that we've seen for Labor Day travel since the decline during the recession," said Cheryl Parker, AAA Corporate Public Affairs Manager. "It appears the improving economy is helping to get more people feeling more comfortable about taking a road trip for this holiday weekend."

With kids starting to head back to school, AAA, local school officials and police are launching the School's Open - Drive Carefully campaign. The kickoff was held Thursday at Mariemont Elementary School. District superintendent Steven Estepp said this back-to-school time of year presents a great opportunity to remind people to be mindful and vigilant while driving near school buildings.

If you're among the 1.7 million Ohioans AAA says are taking a vacation this Independence Day holiday, you're in good, but likely crowded, company. The auto club estimates 1.4 million Ohioans will drive more than 50 miles from home between Wednesday, July 3 and Sunday, July 7.

Where are we going?

Pack your patience, a majority of the top destinations listed by AAA are along the I-75 corridor.

The auto club is releasing what it calls a groundbreaking study on distracted driving. AAA along with the University of Utah found voice-activated, hands-free technologies on cell phones and in cars pose the greatest risks for distracted driving accidents.

AAA is projecting a slight decline in Memorial Day travel. The automobile association says 34.8 million people will be traveling more than 50 miles from home Thursday through Monday. Last year it was 35.1 million. The automobile association estimates 1,312, 559 Ohioans plan to travel for the holiday, also a slight decline from last year.

The economy's been doing better, but....

Cheryl Parker with AAA in Cincinnati said one reason for the decrease is the impact of the federal government's budget sequester is starting to be felt.

AAA is predicting the national average price of gasoline for Labor Day this year will be the highest ever for the holiday. Spokeswoman Cheryl Parker says we're looking at a high for local gas prices as well:

"The highest for us locally was$3.75 last year on Labor Day; and, as you can see, we're already at the average of $3.93. So it's already the highest that we're seeing pretty much across the country."

Other average prices from the Cincinnati AAA office: Ohio, $3.90; Kentucky, $3.87; and Covington, $3.96.